September 2019 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE FISHTOFT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2019 AT THE PLAYING FIELD PAVILION COMMENCING AT 7.00PM
In attendance: Councillor H Staples (Vice Chairman), Councillors M Ordway, J Williams, J Skinner, P Skinner, O Snell (arrived at 7.40pm)
Boston Borough Councillor J Noble. Mrs K Partridge (Clerk)
9.1 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS: Councillor Staples welcomed all to the meeting, standing in as Chair for the evening in the absence of Councillor Armstrong. Thanks to Councillors Ordway and P Skinner and Boston Borough Councillor J Noble for helping to deliver the flyers for fun day.
9.2 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies received and accepted from Councillors E Armstrong and R Lenton (holiday), apologies for late arrival received from Councillor O Snell (arrived at 7.40pm).
9.3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor P Skinner declared an interest in all planning matters through his role on the Planning Committee at Boston Borough Council and took no part in planning discussions.
9.4 POLICE REPORT: Not received. Reminder email to PCSO in relation to Fun Day.
9.5 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19 AUGUST 2019: It was resolved the minutes be approved and signed, proposed by Councillor J Skinner, seconded by Councillor P Skinner and agreed.
9.6 REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Wooded area at Hobhole Pumping Station: It was agreed to pass Councillor Ordway’s contact details to the Farm Manager at NSC for contact in relation to work at the wooded area.
Police and Crime Commissioner meeting: The Police and Crime Commissioner will be attending the Parish Liaison meeting at BBC on 28 November, this date clashes with the annual civic dinner. Following discussion it was agreed to make Councillor Lenton aware of the BBC meeting, which will commence at 6.00pm and presentation approximately 30 to 45 minutes, this would enable time to attend both events. A list of queries for the Police Commissioner to be forwarded prior to the meeting.
Additional venue for PC meetings: Still no contact with Facilities at Pilgrim Hospital. Following discussion it was agreed to make enquiries at the new nursery near to the Pilgrim Hospital exit.
Subsidence at Pilgrim Fathers Memorial Site: Councillor Staples had spoken to Phil Drury but not has a response to date, further contact will be made again; Councillor P Skinner will also contact him.
Notice Boards: Beal & Fairchild will attend to the 3 boards located at Pilleys Lane, Fishtoft Village and Eastwood Road to refurbish and fit improved locks, if possible. The Clerk reported the notice board at Rochford Tower Hall had some rotten wood on the front near to the locks, consideration should be made to replace in the future with a composite board.
A16/Hilldyke Junction: Sibsey Parish Council are in agreement that a joint meeting to discuss the road safety issues would be beneficial, Councillors Ordway and Williams nominated as representatives to attend.
10.7 CLERKS REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: General correspondence received was available and included Clerks and Councils Direct and LALC Annual Report.
Highways: Notice of temporary road closure for a period of 25 days as and when required between 21 October and 6 December at Cut End Road from Pinfold Lane to Mickleham Lane.
Public Rights Of Way Grass Cutting: Information received from LCC with regards to the latest mowing and strimming of public footpaths; it was agreed to request a map of the footpaths in order to ascertain where the numbers relate to.
Overgrown Vegetation, Smalley Road, Petit Way and Others: Letter received informing that vegetation is obstructing the footpath in various locations and should be attended to within 14 days, failure to comply will result in Highways considering serving a notice under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980.
Following discussion it was agreed to ask for clarification on “other” locations. Councillor Staples will check the addresses given, however, it is felt this is not Parish responsibility. Reply will be given appropriately on the outcome of the inspection.
Resident/Housing concerns: Letter received from the son of a Fishtoft resident raising concerns in relation to a neighbour. Councillor P Skinner has previously raised this matter with BBC Monitoring Officer. It was agreed to forward the letter to Councillor P Skinner and copy in the Monitoring Officer.
10.8 BOSTON BOROUGH AND LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS:
Councillor Noble reported on the following:
Eastwood Road resident raised queries regarding grass cutting, Councillor J Skinner has visited the resident to clarify the situation
Residents of properties on Eastwood Drive that have experienced flooding issues are asked to telephone AW on 0800145145
Confirmation extensions at St Johns Home will have a pitched roof
Footpath from Fogartys to the village have been cut
BBC working on regeneration fund, £25m allocated for Boston and will include leisure, health clinic
BBC capital returns have fluctuated; Councillor Staples requested a simplistic report be emailed to all Parish Councillors
Eastwood Road premises granted liquor licence, hours 6.00am to 11.00pm
Temporary licence granted at Assembly Rooms
Wide Bargate licence application revoked
Councillor P Skinner reported there is a need to invest long term in order to gain money for capital investment, the current fund is growing and this will provide money for investment in the Boston area.
Councillor P Skinner will be carrying out a Highways walk around the area.
Councillor J Skinner reported there is an Environment and Performance Committee meeting on 24 September, Boston Alternative Energy will be giving a presentation which starts at 6.30pm.
11.9 FINANCE REPORT:
a) a budget update was presented, there were no queries.
b) to approve payment of accounts:-
Clerks salary - £341.90
Clerks expenses – £25.94
Mobile broadband – half share - £8.85
Grass maintenance – BBC and LCC areas (1/12th of annual charge) - £1,064.22 (£177.37 VAT)
Weedkill treatment at war memorial - £25.00
It was resolved the accounts be paid, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Williams and agreed.
c) Shared parish computer. Following discussion it was resolved to write off the computer following removal of sensitive information, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Williams and agreed.
11.10 MAYFLOWER 400: The various projects are coming along well; Councillor Ordway has produced some photographs for the walking map and the wood carvers are making progress.
11.11 FUN DAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2019: Councillor Staples reported the flyers have been delivered and wished to thank Councillor P Skinner for the work he has done and for using his own public liability insurance.
The event will be open at 12 noon and will close at 5.30pm. Some preparation work will be carried out on Saturday with the marquee being erected on Sunday morning.
Councillors are asked to attend the day.
11.12 PLANNING MATTERS: To discuss the following applications:-
B/19/0307 – outline application for residential development (1 plot - with all matters (Access, Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) reserved for later approval (amended application form) at rear of Gunby House, 21 Sibsey Road. Concerns regarding the proposed new entrance being opposite Pilgrim Hospital exit, loss of so many trees also a concern.
B/19/0308 – erection of office building following demolition of existing office at Woad Farm, Fishtoft Road. No specific details of materials to be used, a more accurate comment could have been made with more information.
B/19/0340 – creation of a new vehicle access at Fairways, Fishtoft Road. Concerns new access is near a bend, is this compliant with Highways.
B/19/0343 – erection of a detached single storey garage to the rear elevation at 96 Eastwood Road. No comments.
12.13 SPEED CALMING INITIATIVE:
Costings had been received from LRSP, to purchase a blue tooth device, additional brackets and site assessment could cost between £2,700 and £3,000 depending on the number of brackets. It was agreed to circulate the information to all Members; to be an agenda item for the next meeting and to include costings and sites for assessment.
12.14 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 October 2019 at Rochford Tower Hall and will commence at 7.00pm with a 10 minute public forum, if required.
The meeting was closed at 9.12pm to move into closed session.
Closed session: There was a query on the number of members for the interviewing panel, clerk to check with LALC.
It will be necessary to ensure the new clerk is aware of the parish area plus to hand over details of allotments and grass maintenance areas.
Advertisement placed on LALC website, parish website, notice boards and Boston Bulletin.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm.